Proposed Diné Bikéyah National Conservation Area

Nov 1, 2013

The Navajo Nation and Utah Diné Bikéyah have offered their vision for the protection and management of natural and cultural resources on federal lands in San Juan County, Utah. After identifying important cultural and biological areas, including Cedar Mesa, maps were combined to create the boundaries of the proposed 1.9 million acre Diné Bikéyah National Conservation Area which includes wilderness designations and co-managed areas.

The stated goals proposed for the Diné Bikéyah National Conservation Area are: 1) provide clear management toward the protection of cultural and biological resources over other land-uses; 2) increase funding allocation to improve management of resources for this region; 3) create a process that recognizes the legitimate interests of the Navajo on federal land; and 4) provide a means of incorporating the extensive and valuable knowledge of the Navajo into land management decisions.